Hush Workcations

How Hush Workcations Affect the Hotel Industry 

In 2024, about 22.8% of employees, or 35.13 million people work remotely. It’s no surprise that the remote industry is growing in popularity. Remote work offers many benefits, including hush workcations.

A hush workcation is when employees travel out of town and work remotely without telling their employer they’re gone. Essentially, the individual takes a “secret” vacation while fulfilling their work responsibilities. 

As hush workcations continue to rise, hotels can stay ahead of the curve by ensuring they meet the needs of remote workers by offering relevant products and services to guests working remotely. 

Ways Hotels Can Attract Remote Workers Taking Hush Workcations

An ideal workcation allows workers to seamlessly complete their workday while taking some time to unwind in their new location. This rise of hush workcations creates an opportunity for hotels to expand their market and create workcation opportunities for remote employees. But how can hotels adapt to attract remote workers?

To attract remote workers, hotels must consider what guests need to complete their workday without interruption.

Develop a strategic marketing plan

A strategic marketing plan is a document that outlines the organization’s goals, actions, and priorities to achieve these goals. For hotels transitioning their business to adapt to the needs of remote workers, a strategic marketing plan lays the foundation for success.

When done effectively, hotels can deepen their understanding of their target audience, gain a competitive advantage, and enhance brand awareness.

Hush Workcations

Your marketing plan should include a detailed analysis of your target market, allowing you to tailor your marketing efforts, products, and services. It should also include an approach to providing products or services to your remote workers. Knowing how to offer products and services affects how well you reach and engage your audience.

Having a detailed outline of how you will allocate financial resources for your marketing efforts is also crucial. Additionally, conduct market research to ensure you understand your customers, competitors, and the demand for your products and services.

Ultimately, a strategic marketing plan will help highlight features and benefits your hotel offers to remote workers. The more detailed your marketing plan is, the more likely you are to reach your guests’ pain points.

Highlight high-speed internet service

One feature that is a must for remote workers is high-speed internet service. According to The Federal Communications Commission, high-speed internet is defined as 100 megabits per second and upload speeds of 20 megabits per second. Hotels should aim for this or better as it ensures workers can communicate effectively, use cloud-based applications, access important files, and effectively collaborate with their team.

When hotels offer high-speed internet service, remote workers can feel confident they have the service they need to work efficiently. Here are a few key reasons high-speed internet is essential on a hush workcation:

  • Real-time communication: Most remote workers video conference throughout the day. For a seamless experience, workers need access to a high-speed internet service with minimal lag, and clear audio and video. 
  • Cloud-based access: Most companies provide several cloud-based applications to employees. Remote workers need to be able to access essential data through cloud storage and applications to ensure productivity.
  • Transferring files: Remote workers need high-speed internet for increased file transfer efficiency.
  • Collaboration tools: Collaboration is key for companies. Remote workers need to be able to access collaborative platforms for seamless interaction.

Dedicated workspaces

A dedicated workspace is a specific area for an individual or team to work without distractions. Hotels can attract workers on a hush workcation by creating several workspaces to accommodate different work needs.

For instance, a private workspace is great for independent workers who need in-room workstations for quiet and productivity. Shared co-working loungers are also an excellent addition to hotels. Co-working lounges are typically equipped with printers, scanners, and basic office essentials.

Work-focused packages

Hotels can offer work-focused packages to attract remote workers planning a hush workcation. Ideally, these packages should include work-related amenities that will enhance productivity, such as breakfast, gym access, access to meeting rooms, and premium internet service.

Remote workers often look for several amenities to ensure they can work without disruption while enjoying their time in a new city. Creating packages makes it easier for remote workers to understand what your hotel offers and will motivate them to stay at your hotel during their trip.

Flexible check-in/out

When taking a hush workcation, it’s essential for workers to be timely when checking in to begin their workday and have room to check out depending on when their workday ends.

With that said hotels that can offer flexible check-in and check-out times will entice remote workers who need more freedom to accommodate the needs of their job.

Amenities and Services Most Appealing to Remote Workers

Remote workers taking hush workcations look for hotels with all of the services and amenities they need to work efficiently while being able to enjoy their trip. 

Amenities like premium internet services to maintain a strong connection throughout the workday are essential. Remote workers also benefit from having a dedicated workspace to ensure a comfortable work environment and improve productivity.

But remote workers aren’t just all work and no play. Other amenities and services are at the top of the list, such as having access to local attractions and activities and having the ability to transition seamlessly between work and leisure.

Types of Travelers Most Likely to Engage in Hush Workcations

The hush workcation trend is certainly growing as the market for hybrid and remote jobs continues to rise. Nearly 60% of remote workers has taken a workcation within the last 12 months, with 3 in 4 remote workers feeling more satisfied with their jobs after taking a hush trip. 

While remote employees who take hush trips come from various industries, certain industries are dominating the scene according to research. Greenback Expat Tax Services surveyed 1,000 American remote employees to see who engaged in hush trips.  The top industries they found were: 

  • Education
  • Tech
  • Healthcare
  • Finance
  • Marketing

There are various reasons why remote employees are leveraging the ability to engage in a hush workcation. It gives remote workers the opportunity to enjoy quality time with friends and family.

For adventurous remote workers, it provides a change of scenery and the ability to explore a new city without using vacation time. 

Hush trip assist remote workers who are concerned with a healthy work-life balance with mitigating burnout and improving overall mental well-being.

Impact of Hush Workcations on Traditional Vacation Destinations and Urban Hotels

The rise of hush workcations has significantly impacted traditional vacation destinations and urban hotels. Hush workcations enable employees to work seamlessly while on vacation. As such, employees are less likely to take traditional vacation days, such as during the holiday season. Instead, employees are taking shorter, more frequent “hush trips”. 

With this shift in travel, hotels need to pay attention to peak travel times outside of the holiday window and incorporate a marketing strategy to target remote workers traveling during untraditional travel windows.

According to research, peak travel times aside from the holidays are during the summer months (between June and August). Hotels can look at historical data to pinpoint peak travel times and plan accordingly.

With that said, the rise of hush trips is ultimately having a positive impact on the hotel industry. This specific demographic of travelers allows hotels to tap into new, profitable markets.

Additionally, traditional vacation destinations and urban hotels that adapt to the remote work environment are gaining a competitive edge over their competitors and experiencing an increase in revenue.

Hospitality Brokerage Done Right

NewGen Advisory is the leading hospitality brokerage expert offering a robust suite of services to owners, investors, and lenders. We provide clients with optimal results and superior experience in hotel brokerage and management, maximizing hotel valuation, and distressed asset services. If you’re interested in a dedicated team with property and market insights to manage your hotel, contact us for more information.

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